On September 5th, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Department 1-2 ruled against both the prosecutor’s appeal and that of the defendant, Ms. Cho, who faced charges for violating stalking laws.
In the initial trial, Ms. Cho received a one-year prison sentence, which was suspended with a two-year probation period, along with a fine of 100,000 KRW, 120 hours of community service, and 40 hours of education aimed at preventing stalking crimes. This decision was confirmed in the appeal.
Ms. Cho was accused of sending 544 messages to Jeong Eun-ji through text and social media from March 2020 to August 2021. Among these messages were inquiries such as “Will you accept me as your servant and partner?” In May 2020, while employed as a delivery driver, Cho allegedly stalked Jeong Eun-ji by following her motorcycle from the KBS headquarters to a hair and makeup salon in Gangnam, Seoul. Additionally, in July 2021, Cho was apprehended for loitering outside Jeong Eun-ji’s residence.
Despite being warned by Jeong Eun-ji’s agency and promising to cease her communications, Cho persisted in her behavior, prompting the agency to initiate legal action against her in August 2021. After Jeong Eun-ji’s announcement on December 3rd, 2021, regarding her discontinuation of the Bubble app, Cho resumed her messaging via Instagram.
The trial court emphasized that “the content of the messages sent by the defendant exceeds conventional fan expressions of support, interest, and affection. Although the victim utilized Instagram and the Bubble app for public engagement, this does not equate to consent for any form of contact or approach.” Furthermore, the court remarked, “The gravity of the defendant’s actions is serious, with the victim enduring considerable emotional trauma, distress, and fear. The defendant has exhibited no remorse and continues to reject the allegations.”
Ms. Cho, who managed to avoid serving jail time, denied the charges and appealed the first trial’s verdict, prompting a cross-appeal by the prosecution for the second trial.
Source: Daum
Leave a Reply